RHS Horticulture qualification

After going for an interview in February and saving to take part in a one year City & Guilds National Certificate in Horticulture - General, I've just found out that there wasn't enough interest and so they are not doing the course. It was at Bishop Burton college near by and would of fitted perfectly around the year out my wife was having to look after our new daughter who is arriving next month.

The question after that long introduction is are correspondence courses good, though I would of preferred hands on and which do people recommend. The course I was going to do would have been £600 for the year. I basically want a qualification in horticulture that is recognised and if deciding to go into gardening for a living would mean something to clients and also mean I actually knew what I was talking about, which would be a first!

 

Hi Johnny.

Have you thought about the Open University? Or looking at what the local colleges are doing?

 

I would contact Bishop Burton College and find out what alternative they recommend. You are talking a lot of money, and want it to be for a formal, recognised qualification, not some mumbo-jumbo DIY certificate!

I don't have personal experience of that course, but know that there are courses which only lead to a piece of paper, which are best avoided. Go with something you've heard of - the OU is a good suggestion.

 

Couldn't find anything with the OU but found this: http://www.hccollege.co.uk/course_view.asp?course_ref=RHSLVL2

Anyone know if they are any good?

 

To be honhest im not sure how mutch good any of the course are. I started a HNC in horticulture but walked out after six months. Basicly I wasnt learning anything and knew more than the lecturesrs, Gardening is something you either have a flair for or not. Plant knowledge is something that cant really be taught.

No one has ever once asked me about qulifications, on a practical level i have spraying and chainsaw tickets plus a good deal of plant operating experience and time spent in building and forestry, Ive never felt at any disadvantadge and run a sucessfull business.

 

I do already work at a garden centre and have a few gardening jobs but I would love to be able to get the RHS qualification but want to choose a correspondence provider who is reputable. I've contacted Craven College that is linked from the RHS site for home learning: http://www.craven-college.ac.uk/com...egory_id,14/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,501/

 

Pro Gard is talking a lot of sense. Experience counts for a lot, and I'm now wondering if your prospective clients would recognise the qualification anyway. Is there much competition in your area? I imagine that good references count for more than qualifications if you're wanting to be a good gardener. Maybe a bit of market research before you spend?

 

I would go along with that 100%. Was the same as my starting years ago as a freelance photographer, it's the results and happy customers that count. The message soon gets around.

 

I already get gardening jobs by word of mouth through clients I already have, the course qualification though good for note paper is really for me. I just want to know that the course I take is ran by professionals and not just somebody with a photocopier.

 

same here i did a NCH did want to do a ND but they wanted me to be in bristol and bridgewater at the same time :confused: i learnt more from my gramps to be honest :D
if your getting jobs by word of mouth id not boather with a course your obviously good enough :thumb:

 

Thanks spudbristol but it is for the enjoyment and fulfilment of doing the course, though it would be more enjoyable if less expensive.

The RHS has links to the H.C. college and the course is £236.00 so probably going to opt for that one.

Not anyone done this course, anyone??

 

Cheers JWK,

Got two of the 10 lessons marked now and going pretty well. I'd have to say it's pretty good but quite hard, plant biology, terminology I've never read in any gardening book or magazine but I am already using the little bits I've learnt in the garden centre I volunteer at and hopefully I will sit my exam next June. We had our second child less than 4 weeks ago so my study time is a bit more of a squeeze with lots of falling asleep half way through studying.

 

I doubt yourl ever need use half the knowledge again. Other than a basic understanding of photosynthesis, I cant see the need for in depth knowledge of plant biolodgy if you merly intend to be a jobbing gardener.